Do I Need General Liability as a Solo Contractor in Colorado Springs, and Who Can Write It?

Quick answer

Yes. A solo contractor in Colorado Springs often needs commercial insurance even without employees. General liability is the usual starting point. Many general contractors and clients will not hire you without a certificate of insurance. If you use a work vehicle, you may also need commercial auto rather than personal auto. Main Street Insurance is a Colorado Springs independent broker. We shop 25+ carriers so we can compare options that fit the work you actually do. Call 719-309-6439. We do not publish a premium here.

Working alone does not remove the risk.

If you damage a client's property, someone is hurt on a job, or a general contractor will not let you on site without proof of insurance, a personal homeowners or renters policy is usually the wrong place to look. Those forms often exclude or limit business activity. We would rather walk you through that before a bid is due.

Main Street Insurance - Patrick Murakami Agency is the local independent broker who shops this. We are not a captive agent tied to one company. We compare general liability across more than 25 carriers and explain the form before we recommend it.

If you want the full commercial picture first, start with our Colorado Springs commercial insurance guide. This page is narrower. It is for the solo contractor who was just asked for a certificate.

What general liability actually does for a solo contractor

General liability helps protect a business from certain third-party claims. On a typical commercial general liability policy, that can include bodily injury, property damage, and personal or advertising injury. It may also help pay covered legal-defense costs. Products-completed operations can be included when the form provides it.

A plain example: a customer slips where you are working, or you damage a client's property while you are on the job. General liability may respond, subject to the policy.

It is not every kind of business insurance.

General liability usually does not cover:

  • Employee injuries, which are generally addressed through workers' compensation
  • Professional advice, design errors, or failure to perform professional services
  • Damage to your own tools, equipment, inventory, or building
  • Business-related vehicle accidents
  • Cyber incidents or loss of electronic data
  • Employment-practices allegations
  • Intentional acts
  • Every type of pollution, faulty work, or contractual liability

Ask how the exclusions apply to the work you actually do. A roofer, an electrician, a remodeler, and a consultant do not present the same exposure.

The longer product explanation lives on our general liability insurance page. Trade-specific contractor coverage, including tools and equipment, is on our contractors and construction page.

Why a general contractor asks for a certificate

Many general contractors, clients, venues, and municipalities will not hire a solo operator without proof of insurance. The document they want is a certificate of insurance. A certificate summarizes active coverage. It does not change the policy or create coverage by itself.

Construction and service contracts often also ask for:

  • Required liability limits
  • Additional insured status
  • Primary and noncontributory wording
  • Waiver of subrogation
  • Completed-operations and ongoing-operations requirements
  • Certificate deadlines
  • Subcontractor insurance, if you use help

Additional insured status must be supported by the applicable endorsement and policy terms. We do not invent sample certificate wording on this page and present it as legal language. Send the contract or bid packet. We read what they actually asked for.

If the certificate is the urgent piece, use our certificate of insurance page. Certificates are often required by the El Paso County Assessor's office and local municipalities, not only by general contractors.

Your work vehicle is a separate question

A personal auto policy may exclude or restrict many business uses. Company ownership, tools in the bed, regular jobsite travel, and how often the vehicle is used for work can point toward commercial auto.

Commercial auto is not automatically inside general liability. It is not automatically inside a business owner's policy either. If the truck, van, or pickup is how the business moves, review it on our commercial auto and trucking page.

Tools and cargo inside the vehicle are not automatically covered by commercial auto on every policy. Tools and equipment may need inland marine or another property form. We will say that in plain language if it applies.

When a BOP fits, and when standalone general liability fits

A business owner's policy commonly combines general liability and commercial property for eligible small or midsize businesses. It can make sense if you have a shop, office, or inventory to insure.

A standalone general liability policy may fit if you do not qualify for a BOP, do not need commercial property, or have specialized operations. Solo trades often start with general liability and add other lines only when the work, the contract, or the location requires them.

There is no universal limit for every contractor. Contracts, leases, the type of work, use of subcontractors, completed work, and the severity of a possible injury all matter. We request more than one limit option when we can. We compare the form, exclusions, deductibles, and endorsements — not only the price. We will not publish a general liability limit or a premium on this page.

What we need before we shop

A useful quote starts with the work, not a guess.

Helpful details include:

  • A plain description of the trades you perform, and the work you do not perform
  • Whether you are a solo operator or you use employees or subcontractors
  • Revenue, payroll, and subcontractor cost if you have them
  • Years in business and any prior claims
  • Current policy or declarations page, if you have one
  • The contract, bid, or certificate wording someone just sent you
  • Vehicles used for work, and whether they are personal or company-owned
  • Tools, equipment, or a shop you need to insure
  • Where the work is done — homes, commercial jobsites, or both

Accurate operations matter. A vague description can delay a quote or classify the work incorrectly.

Who this page is for

This page is for solo and small-crew contractors in Colorado Springs and El Paso County who were asked for general liability, a certificate, or both.

We already work with contractors, trades, and construction businesses on our commercial pages. That includes general contractors, builders, remodelers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, roofers, and specialty trades. We also serve the broader commercial list on our hub: retailers, restaurants, professional firms, property owners, nonprofits, healthcare practices, and service companies.

If you have employees, workers' compensation is a separate Colorado question. Do not skip it because you bought general liability.

Who shops this for you

Main Street Insurance is the Patrick Murakami Agency. We are an independent broker in Colorado Springs. Patrick founded the agency in 2019. His Colorado license is 266853. We shop more than 25 carriers. We are BBB A+ rated. Best of Springs Bronze in 2021 and 2023. Silver in 2024.

We work Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. America/Denver. Evening and weekend consults can be arranged. Ask when you call.

Education first. We would rather explain what general liability does — and what it leaves out — than hand you a certificate you cannot use.

Meet the people who will actually shop this on our team page.

Talk with us before you bid uninsured

If a general contractor just asked for a certificate, start there. Send the wording. Tell us the trade. We will tell you what we can shop and what the certificate cannot do.

Call or text 719-309-6439 or request a quote. Email PatrickM@Themainstreetagency.com.

Office: 6805 Corporate Drive Ste 170, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.

No pressure. We would rather review the contract now than have you lose the job because the certificate was wrong.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need general liability as a solo contractor in Colorado Springs?

Often, yes. Even as a solo operator you face liability for bodily injury, property damage, or claims tied to the work. Many general contractors and clients require proof of insurance before they will hire you. A general liability policy is typically the starting point. Main Street Insurance shops 25+ carriers for the work you actually do.

Who can write general liability for a solo contractor in Colorado Springs?

Main Street Insurance. We are a Colorado Springs independent broker, not a captive agent. We shop 25+ carriers and compare the form to the contract. Call 719-309-6439 or use the quote form.

Does a general contractor require a certificate of insurance?

Often. Many general contractors, clients, and municipalities will not let you on site without a certificate. A certificate summarizes active coverage. It does not create coverage. Additional insured or other wording may need a carrier-approved endorsement. See our COI page.

Does general liability cover my work vehicle or my tools?

Usually not. Business-related vehicle accidents are a commercial auto question. Your own tools, equipment, and building are property or inland-marine questions. Review vehicles on our commercial auto page.

Does general liability cover employee injuries?

Generally, no. Employee work injuries are typically addressed through workers' compensation. If you have employees in Colorado, that coverage is generally required by law, subject to limited exemptions. Start with our workers' compensation page.

Is general liability the same as a BOP?

No. A business owner's policy commonly bundles general liability with commercial property for eligible businesses. Standalone general liability may fit if you do not need property coverage or do not qualify for a BOP.

What is an additional insured?

An additional insured is a person or organization granted certain coverage rights under an endorsement. The scope varies. The actual endorsement and the contract wording should be reviewed together. A certificate alone does not create that status.

What should I have ready when I call?

A description of the work, whether you use employees or subcontractors, revenue if you have it, any current policy, and the contract or certificate wording you were sent. If you do not have all of that, call anyway. We will tell you what we still need.

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